Cotton and hay press



No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1.

B. J. CURRY. COTTON AND HAY PRESS.

No. 311,816. Patented Feb. 3,1885.

N. PETUIS. Pmlo-Pmo m hnr, Washinglnn. 0.1:.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets'-Shee,t 2.

B. J. CURRY. COTTON AND HAY PRESS.

" No.311,816. Patented Feb. 3, 1885.

' Uneven States Patent @rrrce.

BUR WELL J. CURRY, OF HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.

COTTON AND HAY PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,816, dated FebruaryS, 1885.

Application filed June 12, 1854. (N0 model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, BURWELL J. CURRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Huntsville, in the county ofMadison and State of Ala bama,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton and Hay Presses; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cotton and hay presses; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts,as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved press. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 00 0c of Fig. 1. Fig. '8 is a vertical section on the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top view.

Like letters of reference designatclikc parts in the several views.

The base of the machine consists of the parallel side bars or sills, A A, that may be supported, if desired, on axles ca, having wheels or rollers b b, so that the press can be readily moved about. The side pieces or sills, A A, are connected by crossbars B B, that support the parallel bars 0 0, between which are pivoted the lower ends of the main operatinglevers D D; or these levers may be pivoted directly to the Crossbars B B.

On the sills A A are supported the uprights or standards E E, which form the corners of a rectangular frame that incloses the press. These standards are connected by side beams, c d e,that in turn are connected by cross-beams fglr. In the space inclosed by thesebeams is a box or chamber, F, the sides and ends of which above the beams (Z dare formed by doors F F so hinged as to be capable of being let down when it is desired to remove the compressed material. These doors are securely braced externally, and are so hinged to the cross-pieces (lg as to form,when closed,a smooth continuous surface with the interior of the compressionchamber. Two of these doors, F, on opposite sides, are provided internally at each end with ledges r i, Fig. 2, that lap over the end doors, F, when closed, thus securing the latter in an upright position. The doors F are also provided at each end with catches or projections It Jr, for engagement with a latch-bar, G, that is placed across each end to hold the doors or upper hinged portion of the box F firmly in position when the press is in use. The top of the compression-chamber F is formed by the upper removable platen, H, which is provided on each side with flanges or bars Z Z, by which it is supported on corre sponding flanges formed on the inner sides of the cross-beams h 71. These flanged crossbeams h h extend beyond the frame of the press on one side, as shownin Figs. 3 and i, and so serve as rails on which the platen H may be run in and out, as required. When resting on the projecting portions of these beams, the platen H will thus serve as aplatform for supporting the operatives while engaged in filling the compression-chamber. The lower platen or follower, I, has pivoted to its under side the connecting-rods K K, the lower ends of which are pivoted to the main levers D D, 'as shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the box or chamber F being slotted sufficiently to allow room for the play of said connecting-rods in operating the press. A drum or rotary shaft, L, is journaled at the top of the press in two of the standards E E. This drum carries at one end a hand-wheel, M, or other convenient means of applying power. A rope or chain, at, is secured near one end of the drum L, and is then passed around apulley, p, at the upper end of one of the main levers D, passing thence over a pulley, p, on the other lever D, and then to one of the standards E at the opposite side of the press, where it is secured. By turning thehand-wheel M thatend of the rope m secured to the drum L will be wound on said drum, so drawing the upper ends of the levers D D toward the press, and 5 thereby raising the follower within the compressing-chamber. Afterthe'followerlias been raised, it can be lowered by turning the drum L in the opposite direction. Byloeating this drum at one end of the press, instead of plac- ICO ing it centrally above the compression-chamber, as usual, it is obvious that the drum and its operating mechanism will not interfere with the opening and closing of the doors F when required. On each side of the press-frame is hinged a platform, N, supported by hooked brace-rods H, for accommodating the operatives in attending to the introduction of the material to the compression-chamber, and its removal after treatment.

The press can be used for baling hay, cotton, and like commodities, or for pressing fruits.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire .to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a press, the combination, with the compression-chamber F, having hinged sides F F, and the lower platen or follower, I, having levers D D and K K, of the drum L, having hand-Wheel M, and j ournaled at the top of the press on one side beyond the compressionchamber, and the rope m, connected to said drum, and then passed over pulleys on the main levers and secured to a standard at one corner of the press-frame, whereby the drum and its hand-wheel are prevented from interfering with the opening and closingof the doors F F, substantially as shown and de scribed.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BURWELL J. GUR RY.

Witnesses S. H. LOWRY, A. B. gunman: 

